Instead of the more commonly known flora, i decided to feature other flowers usually not noticed. One example is the papaya flower. Yes, the flower and not the fruit. I myself have dismissed these blossoms, appreciated them only because it heralded the sought after dessert fruit which i love.
The flowers according to botanists have sexes. The male, the female, and a third sex (so inclusive, this plant) -- hermaphrodites. Interesting. If your papaya tree has male flowers it will not get pregnant (not produce fruit) as they say. Female flowers on the other hand, when not pollinated, will just drop off from the tree. It is the hermaphrodites that give you fruit.
A closer inspection makes me appreciate not only the fruit but also its unassuming flowers. One day, i will try to eat them as well. Should this surprise you? In Indochinese kitchens, the buds of the papaya are blanched in hot water to remove its bitter taste and then stir-fried with eggplant and some condiments. Imagine your dinner table laden with a papaya dish, papaya salad, and chilled ripe papaya to cap off that meal. Papaya!
